Toby Keith’s Longtime Band Member Joey Floyd Dies

Joey Floyd, a longtime member of Toby Keith‘s Easy Money Band, has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

The news was shared by Keith through his official Facebook page. “There will be a hole on stage and a hole in the hearts of all that loved him,” he writes. “Rest in peace ol’ friend.”

Floyd was Fort Worth, Texas native who played banjo, fiddle and guitar behind Keith for many years. He was a longtime friend of Willie Nelson, and even starred alongside the country legend in the 1980 film, Honeysuckle Rose. Years later, Floyd introduced Keith to Nelson, which sparked a friendship that resulted in their chart-topping 2003 duet, “Beer for My Horses”.

He is survived by wife, Laurin. Funeral arrangements are currently pending. Floyd’s death comes just three years after fellow Easy Money Band member Carl “Chuck” Goff Jr. tragically died in a car crash at the age of 54.

Keith is currently set to take the stage for the first time since Floyd’s death at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo on Feb. 15. It’s unclear if the country star plans to publicly reflect on his friend’s passing during the performance.